Andy Hubbert

Police have confirmed reports of an armed incident in Billinghay this morning (Friday).

Armed response officers, police dogs and a police helicopter were among the large number of officers that swooped on Mill Close in the village around 11.30am this morning.

Armed police swooped on Mill Close and arrested a man this morning(Friday). EMN-161021-164212001

Detective Sergeant Jon Shield said: “We received reports that a man was in possession of a firearm so we deployed an armed response to contain the suspect.

“We managed to detain the man from a vehicle and arrest him. There was a second man who fled from the car, but he has also since been arrested.

“The man was not armed and we are currently searching a number of properties.

“At no time was any member of the public at risk. Both men are now helping us with our enquiries.”

A police helicopter had been called in to help for the escaped suspect.

Residents had reported numerous sightings of armed police checking streets in the area including back gardens in Princess Square, Brunswick Close and Victoria Street.

Two police operational support vans and a dog unit later sighted attending an address on Princess Square in the village for a short period of time during their search of a number of properties in the village.

One resident told The Standard said there were a number of troubling events going on in the village of late.

A number of residents were concerned for their children at the local primary school.

A Mill Close resident who wished not to be named, said: “I was indoors when my sister came and told me there were lots of police here. All I saw was police arriving here and the police helicopter circling overhead. There were four or five police cars at the bottom of the street and the officers were armed.”

Another Mill Close resident believed the man arrested was visiting a property on the street. She said: “We were inside with the children and saw the police cars and police dogs and saw them tow a car away.

“We didn’t see a gun but were told they were about. With little ones around it is frightening and not the thing you see every day here.”

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